Typically, when people think of esports, they think of big stages, harsh competitive environments, and loud crowds, but esports is more than just a dog-eat-dog world. Yet as esports grows into a huge industry, it continues to branch out into a more ground-level community. Instead of exclusive organizations handpicking and setting up players like racehorses on a track, we now have colleges, schools, recreational departments, and more participating in esports.
These organizations allow esports to be approached in a light-hearted, friendly, and enjoyable way wherein people can come together and compete without the usual stress, anxiety, and weight the typical esports scene puts on people. Nowadays, not everyone wants to become the best or be a hotshot professional player, some people just want to have fun and compete casually, and that's where Mission Control comes in.
Mission Control (And How It's Changing The Way We See Esports)
Mission Control is a platform for recreational league esports, just like traditional sports have recreational leagues for tennis, soccer, or football. The platform is currently available in North America and is free to use. "Mission Control manages the league schedule, validates scores, and determines the champion while also serving as a community forum for league members and friends," explains CEO Austin Smith. Additionally, the platform also possesses a function for local communities and national organizations to host recreational esports leagues, respectively.
"On one side you have a downloadable mobile app for players, where they can download the application, and join organizations, [...] On the flip side, [there's also] an online web browser application that administrators can use, [...] [Organizations] can interface with the entire platform by creating a profile on our admin site. And from there can fill out the details about their community, who they want joining that organization, and then create the actual league," Smith says. From that point forward, they may create leagues "and manage their operations" and put up an entry payment or make it free to join, and if willing, they can add prizes on their terms.
Unlike other platforms, Mission Control differentiates through its atmosphere and approach. "We're not focused on a very competitive side. We're focused on those 200 teams who want to play as a social experience. Community experience with a little structure, competitive nature, but primarily because it's something that they enjoy. And by focusing on that, I think we're incredibly different from a lot of the other groups."
What Games You Can Actually Play With Mission Control
Mission Control covers the hottest esport titles on its platform. Players can form leagues around "all the major titles [...] this means all of the sports simulators, [games] like Rocket League, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Call of Duty and [other games]." By August 1, Mission Control will be adding more esport titles to the platform for people to participate in, and "by that point, anything that people are interested in, especially in major titles, will be on [the] platform."
Currently, Mission Control is focused on an age demographic of 18-35 with its platform. "I think there's a lot of different statistics that go into that," Smith says. "And what type of games do people who are older play. So I think we skew towards the younger individuals, but I don't think there's a true limit on that. It's more focused also on who wants this community social experience." Mission Control is also building something for middle schoolers to bring fun to the younger generation.
Mission Control In The Time Of Social Distancing
Despite COVID-19 affecting physical activities and community meetings and events, Mission Control is going strong and focusing on its online services. "We do a lot of both in-person and online leagues and, unfortunately, it's hurt some of the prospects of the in-person leagues in the communities that are meeting in-person to play, [...] One of the interesting things is that right now, a lot of people need community. It's just a way to stay sane throughout all this craziness, [...] However, gaming gives you the option to do so digitally. So we've seen a lot of interest in what we do right now because people need that digital community, and through esports is how they can do it."
Mission Control will continue to strive forward during these challenging times and provide its platform's services. It aims to cement itself in more communities in the next five years and eventually spread internationally. "[Mission Control] is focused on being a premier community gathering platform."
Overall, Mission Control provides a softer side to esports, a side that people want to participate in without worrying about committing to endless practice. Not only does it enable esports to grow kind-heartedly, but it helps players have fun without the heavy competitive mental baggage that the typical esports scene brings. Additionally, it gives organizations a voice and an open window to host, organize, and pull off events easily and connect to potential individuals. Despite, Mission Control being reasonably new, it's undeniable that it's on its way to esport success.
Follow Mission Control's Twitter, Discord, Instagram, Facebook, or check out the website.
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